Thief given a chance after pitiful statement

A Scarborough woman, charged with theft at the Scarborough 1913 Police Court today, attributed her position to drink. “I felt very bad for it. I felt I would almost do anything for it,” was her pitiful statement.

Prisoner was Rachael Pearson (50), married, William Street, and she was charged with having stolen from a warehouse in North Street, a brass pan and a brass kettle-stand, valued at 5s, the property of Thomas Archer, between January 20th and February 8th.

She was also charged with having stolen from 79a, Newborough, 34 yards of oil baize, of the value of £1, the property of George Dale Smith, between January 20th and February 8th, 1913.

She admitted the offences.

In the first case it appeared that prisoner had been in the habit of going to the premises. It was noticed on the day in question that she had something bulky under her cape, and later the articles named in the charge were missed. She had pawned the kettle-stand with Mr T I’Anson, pawnbroker, and the pan at Mr Gibson’s, Castle Road. When arrested she said: “I don’t know what made me do it. I was standing in the shop, and the temptation was too great for me. I am very sorry now.”

In the second case it appeared that three pieces of the material were missed on separate dates. It was found that she had sold one piece to a Mrs Charlotte Bland for 9d, another to a Mr William Smithson, for 1s, and another piece, 19 yards, had been left with a Mrs Mackereth. The three pieces were taken on separate dates, and Detective Inspector Nawton said it looked like systematic thieving.

Prisoner, asked when she took the goods, said: “I was drinking at the time. I didn’t know what I was doing.”

Detective Inspector Nawton said the woman’s husband was in regular work, and there were four or five children at home.

The woman for some time past had been drinking heavily, and he had no doubt that was the cause of her committing the offences.

Replying to the magistrates as to why she drank, prisoner said, “I don’t know. I felt very bad for it, I would almost do anything for it.”

The Chairman: Had you had any trouble at all?

Prisoner: No, I don’t know that I have had any trouble particularly. I have been harassed at times.

The Chairman: Well, the drink did you no good.

Prisoner: No.

The Chairman: Are you prepared to give it up?

Prisoner: Yes, I am. I have made up my mind to do that.

The Chairman: How long is it since you had any?

Prisoner: Friday morning.

The Chairman said that the magistrates wished to give her a chance. She would be bound over for 12 months under the supervision of the Probation Officer, and one of the conditions was that she must keep off the drink.